KR101134787B1 - A unit module and module for dye sensitized solar cell, and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Dye-sensitized solar cell unit modules, modules, and methods of manufacturing the same are provided.
The dye-sensitized solar cell unit module according to the present invention is opposed to and is a dye-sensitized solar cell module comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, the conductive material is stacked on top, wherein the first substrate is more than the second substrate It has a wide width, the first substrate is further extended by a predetermined width in both directions of the second substrate, the manufacturing method of the dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention can effectively join the two modules in the exposed space of the operator Thus, more convenient joining between modules is possible. In addition, bonding in various ways is possible in the bonding space of the exposed FIG. Module. For example, mechanical and physical bonding in an open joint space is possible.

Description

A unit module and module for dye sensitized solar cell, and manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a dye-sensitized solar cell unit module, a module, and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, since the operator can effectively bond the two modules in an exposed space, more convenient bonding is possible between the modules and the exposed module. The present invention relates to a dye-sensitized solar cell unit module, a module, and a method of manufacturing the same, which can be bonded in various ways in a junction space.

Since the development of the dye-sensitized nanoparticle titanium oxide solar cell by the team of Michael Gratzel of the Swiss National Lausanne Institute of Advanced Technology (EPFL) in 1991, much work has been done in this area.

Dye-sensitized solar cells have the potential to replace conventional amorphous silicon solar cells because their manufacturing cost is significantly lower than conventional silicon-based solar cells. Unlike silicon solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells absorb visible light It is a photoelectrochemical solar cell mainly composed of a dye molecule capable of generating electron-hole pairs and a transition metal oxide that transfers generated electrons.

1 is a plan view illustrating a unit cell structure of a conventional dye-sensitized solar cell, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of the conventional module-type dye-sensitized solar cell. 1 and 2, the conventional module-type dye-sensitized solar cell has a sandwich structure in which the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4 are bonded to each other, and is opposed to the second substrate 4. The first substrate 2 has a conductive material 22 such as FTO on the surface thereof, and a nanoparticle oxide layer 6 such as TiO ₂ on the conductive material 22, and dye molecules on the oxide layer 6. Is adsorbed, and the conductive material 22 and platinum are coated on the surface of the second substrate opposite to the first substrate. An electrolyte 18 is filled in the space between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the unit consisting of the first substrate 2, the second substrate 4, and the electrolyte 18 is one cell. In this case, a plurality of cells are connected and installed in a series module configuration of a Z-serise type with a metal grid (grid) 10. In this case, since the grid is typically vulnerable to the electrolyte, the outside of the grid 10 is wrapped in the sealing member 14 to prevent contact with the electrolyte 18, and the dye-sensitized sun positioned outside of the entire dye-sensitized solar cell. The wall surface of the battery is finished with the sealing member 14 to prevent leakage of the electrolyte to the outside. The grid 10 is a structure in which a first grid extending from the first substrate 2 and a second grid extending from the second substrate 4 are bonded to each other, and a paste of a metal such as silver is generally used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper substrate and the lower substrate of the dye-sensitized solar cell module having such a structure are formed in such a manner that the upper and lower substrates (which correspond to the upper and lower electrodes) protrude in opposite directions. The lower electrode of the lower substrate protruding from one module should be electrically connected to the upper electrode of the adjacent module again.

3 is a cross-sectional view after connecting each module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, not only each module should be bonded to a physically adjacent solar cell module but also the upper electrode and the lower electrode must be electrically connected to each other through the junction.

For example, in FIG. 3, the upper electrode 22a of the solar cell module A should be electrically connected to the lower electrode 22b of the adjacent solar cell module B. That is, the bonding of modules must ensure not only a solid physical connection of each module but also sufficient conductivity.

Such conductive bonding materials include conductive polymers such as polyimide. However, these conductive polymers are very poor in their utility because of their poor conductivity.

In the second adhesive method, an adhesive material including a conductive metal ball is applied to an overlap region of the adjacent module (that is, a region where the upper electrode and the lower electrode of the adjacent module overlap). However, the above method also requires that the metal ball must be in physical contact with the conductive electrode on the substrate, and if the organic material is a general adhesive material that prevents the physical contact between the metal ball and the conductive electrode, sufficient conductivity may not be achieved. . Furthermore, in the case of using micro-unit metal balls, the actual physically bonded area will not be so large, and some connections may be spaced apart due to the weight of the entire module when connecting several modules at once.

As a third adhesive method, there is a method of applying a metal paste such as silver and then sintering it. Since the sintering process has to be carried out at a high temperature, it is not economical, and as the sintering process is performed as a post process, there is a problem in that the efficiency of the already completed solar cell itself is lowered.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell manufacturing method that can be bonded to the solar cell module in an easier and more economical manner.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell module and a dye-sensitized solar cell module having a plurality thereof bonded physically and firmly bonded, bonded in a manner excellent in electrical conductivity at the connection.

To this end, the present invention is a dye-sensitized solar cell module facing each other, the first substrate and the second substrate each having a conductive material laminated thereon, the first substrate has a wider width than the second substrate The first substrate has a dye-sensitized solar cell unit module, characterized in that further extended by a predetermined width in both directions of the second substrate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the module is stacked on the conductive material layer of the first substrate or the second substrate, the nanoparticle oxide layer adsorbed dye molecules; A counter electrode provided on the conductive material layer stacked on another substrate facing the substrate provided with the nanoparticle oxide layer; A metal grid provided between the second substrate and the first substrate, the metal grid electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate; It is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and further comprises a sealing member for protecting the metal grid from the electrolyte, the present invention also includes two or more of the above-described dye-sensitized solar cell unit module, the unit module The first extended substrate is physically coupled with the first substrate of the module adjacent to each other.

Bonding of the extended first substrates of the unit module may be coupled by a conductive metal material, and the module may have the same height as a whole by filling a transparent material in the space between the second substrates.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a dye-sensitized solar cell module comprising a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, the conductive material is stacked on top, the first substrate is wider than the second substrate It has a width, the first substrate provides a dye-sensitized solar cell module, characterized in that further extended to a predetermined width on both sides of the second substrate.

The present invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell manufacturing method comprising at least two unit modules comprising a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, in order to solve the above problems, the width of both of the substrate of the unit module Horizontally contacting the extended first substrate with another first substrate extending to both sides of the substrate of an adjacent unit module; And providing one or more bonding layers simultaneously on the two contacted first substrates.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a transparent material may be filled on the bonding layer at the same height as the second substrate, and the bonding layer may be a metal plate or a metal tape.

The unit module may also include a conductive material layer laminated on the first substrate or the second substrate, respectively; A nanoparticle oxide layer stacked on the conductive material layer of the first substrate or the second substrate, to which dye molecules are adsorbed; A counter electrode provided on the conductive material layer stacked on another substrate facing the substrate provided with the nanoparticle oxide layer; A metal grid provided between the second substrate and the first substrate, the metal grid electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate; And a sealing member provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and protecting the metal grid from the electrolyte.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes two or more unit modules including a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, the first substrate is a dye-sensitized solar cell extending by a predetermined length to both sides than the second substrate 1. A method of manufacturing a method comprising: inserting and fixing a first substrate of any one of a unit module to one side groove of a fixing part provided with a groove capable of receiving the first substrate on both sides; It provides a method for manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising the step of fixing by inserting the first substrate of another unit module in the other groove of the fixing portion.

The fixing part includes a conductive metal material, and the height of the groove is equal to or less than the height of the first substrate.

In the method of manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention, since the operator can effectively bond the two modules in the exposed space, more convenient bonding between the modules is possible. In addition, bonding in various ways is possible in the bonding space of the exposed FIG. Module. For example, mechanical and physical bonding in an open joint space is possible.

1 and 2 are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a unit cell configuration of a conventional dye-sensitized solar cell. to be.
3 is a cross-sectional view after combining the unit module of the conventional dye-sensitized solar cell.
4 is a cross-sectional view of a unit module of a dye-sensitized solar cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 to 7 is a view illustrating each step of manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell module by bonding the dye-sensitized solar cell unit module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 and 9 are views illustrating a coupling fixing portion and a coupling example of the dye-sensitized solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

With respect to the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the text, specific structural to functional descriptions are merely illustrated for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and It should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described in.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are used for the same constituent elements in the drawings and redundant explanations for the same constituent elements are omitted.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it may further include other components, without excluding the other components unless otherwise stated. In addition, the terms "... unit", "... unit", "module", "block", etc. described in the specification mean a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which means hardware, software, or hardware. And software.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a unit module of a dye-sensitized solar cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present specification, the unit module means physically one substrate unit, and the unit module may include one or more unit cells.

Referring to FIG. 4, the dye-sensitized solar cell unit module according to the present invention includes two substrates (first substrate 310 and second substrate 320) facing each other.

Transparent electrode material layers 330a and 330b such as FTO and ITO are stacked on the first and second substrates 310 and 320, and electrons and charges generated therein move through the conductive material layer to the outside. Done.

The present invention is particularly one of the first substrate and the second substrate in which the conductive material layer is stacked (the first substrate 310 in FIG. 3, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto) and the other substrate opposite thereto. Wider than That is, in the prior art, the substrates of the same width are alternately configured, but the present invention constitutes one of the two substrates more widely. That is, unlike the prior art of moving charges and electrons up and down, the present invention flows electrons and charges to both sides in the horizontal direction, and improves the bonding effect between modules through the cell configuration.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first substrate 310 has a wider width than the second substrate, and has a configuration extending further by a predetermined width d on both sides. In one embodiment of the present invention further extends by the same width on both sides, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The present invention provides a configuration in which the width portions 310a and 310b of the first substrate 310, which are more extended than the second substrate 320, function as a bonding area between adjacent modules. It explains in detail.

Referring to FIG. 4 again, one of the two substrates constituting the unit module of the dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention has a wider width than the other substrate and extends by a predetermined width. Furthermore, the unit module includes a nanoparticle oxide layer 340 on which the dye molecules are adsorbed, and the nanoparticle oxide layer 340 stacked on the conductive material layer 330a of the first substrate or the second substrate. A counter electrode 350 formed on a conductive material layer 330b on another substrate (here, the second substrate 320) facing the substrate (here, the first substrate 310). do. In particular, such a configuration constitutes a unit cell of a unit module, and there may be one unit cell or a plurality of unit cells as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the plurality of unit cells have a technical configuration that is physically separated, but electrically connected, the physical separation is by the sealing member 360, the electrical connection is in contact with the two substrates at the same time the metal grid 370 ) The electrolyte 380 is also filled between the two substrates. Since the functions and effects of each element of the dye-sensitized solar cell module according to the present invention are already known, they will be omitted below.

5 to 7 is a view illustrating each step of manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell module by bonding the dye-sensitized solar cell unit module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the second module B in which the lower first substrate 310B extends to both sides is horizontally the same as the first module A in which the lower first substrate 310A extends to both sides. Approach each other and make physical contact. The open area 410 (hereinafter referred to as the junction area) generated by the contact of the lower substrates extending to both sides in the two modules is not only visible to the operator from above but also can be operated. Unlike the prior art in which the operator cannot physically proceed with the bonding process by staggering two substrates of the same width, the present invention thus provides a module configuration in which the bonding area between the two modules is exposed and opened. It is possible by varying the width of.

Referring to FIG. 6, a bonding layer 420 is stacked on the bonding region 410 between the two modules. The bonding layer 420 is a technical means for connecting the lower substrates of the two modules to bond the modules. For example, a metal plate such as a metal thin film is bonded to the bonding region 410. In this case, the metal plate may be physically fixed to each of the first substrates 310A and 310B of the two modules. Alternatively, a metal film, a metal tape, or the like may also be used in one form of the bonding layer 420.

In particular, in the prior art in which the upper and lower electrodes had to be electrically connected at the same time, the physical adhesion and the electrical connection had to be offset to some extent. For example, when the metal balls are used simultaneously with the organic adhesive, the weakening of the adhesion by the metal balls (because the metal fire must be in physical contact with the two electrodes, inevitably, the weakening of the adhesion occurs due to the reduction of the adhesion area), The resistance is increased by the organic adhesive.

However, according to the present invention, the two modules may be electrically connected to each other without using a separate conductive material by horizontally contacting the two modules. However, the bonding layer 420 that bonds the modules for minimal electrical resistance preferably comprises a conductive metal.

Furthermore, since the bonding region 410 between the modules provided with the bonding layer 420 is open and exposed to the outside, the lamination process of the bonding layer 420 (that is, the bonding process of the modules) is performed in the bonding region. Compared to this closed prior art, it is simple and effective.

Referring to FIG. 7, after the bonding layer 420 is stacked on the bonding region 410 on the first substrates 310A and 310B, the bonding layer 420 may be separated between the second substrate 320A and the second substrate 320B of the modules. The filling material 430 is provided.

In order to maintain and improve the efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell, the filling material 430 is preferably a transparent material. Furthermore, the filling material 430 is preferably filled at the same height as the second substrates 320A and 320B.

However, since the filling material 430 does not function as a separate conductive passage in the dye-sensitized solar cell according to the present invention, various organic materials may be used, and if necessary, a separate filling material may be used as the second substrates ( It may not be filled between 320A, 320B.

In addition to the above method of simultaneously contacting two lower substrates extending from two modules, and then simultaneously applying a contact material (bonding layer) on the contact surface between the substrates, another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for extending the two substrates between the two substrates. It provides a technical configuration for inserting a fixing portion for fixing the substrate to both sides.

8 includes two modules A and B and grooves 704a and 704b capable of receiving the extended substrates 701a and 701b of the module on both sides between the modules according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fixing part 703 is started in the cross-sectional direction, and is a view showing a cross section after the substrate 701a of the module is inserted into one side of the fixing part. That is, when the widths of the lower substrates 701a and 701b of the upper and lower facing substrates of the module are wider than the widths of the upper substrates 702a and 702b, the lower substrates 701a and 701b may be extended to both sides by a predetermined length. This configuration is the same as described above.

Referring to the upper part of FIG. 8, the fixing part 703 performs a function of a kind of clip for fixing two modules. For this purpose, the fixing part 703 has grooves 704a and 704b of predetermined heights at both sides. It is a structure to include. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portion 703 also functions as a conductive passage that electrically connects the substrates inserted into both sides, thus further providing a passage portion 704 in contact with the two substrates at the same time. And, the fixing portion shape that satisfies this at the same time becomes a dumbbell form, as shown in Figure 8, it preferably comprises a conductive metal material.

Referring to the lower end of FIG. 8, the first substrate 701a of the module A is inserted into the groove 704a provided on one side of the fixing part, thereby fixing one substrate by the groove 704a. In particular, the height of the fixing part groove 703a is preferably equal to or less than the height of the first substrate 701a to which the electrode material is coated. If the height of the fixing part groove 703a is greater than the height of the first substrate, The groove 703a is difficult to physically fix the substrate. That is, when a material having a predetermined elasticity, such as a metal, is used as the fixing part, the groove 703a is opened by a predetermined level as the substrate is physically placed in the groove 703a, and the elastic force generated by the reaction May then act as a driving force to physically fix the substrate inserted into the groove. That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the use of the metal as the material of the fixing part 703 simultaneously generates an effect of generating elastic force to fix the substrate together with the electric conduction effect.

9 is a plan view before and after putting the two modules (A, B) into the two grooves (704a, 704b) of the fixing portion 703 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, first, the module according to the present invention further extends a lower substrate by a predetermined width when viewed from above, and the first substrates 701a and 701b are partially exposed despite the second substrates 702a and 702b.

The first substrates 701a and 701b, which are lower substrates extending by the predetermined width, are respectively placed in grooves on both sides of the fixing part 702, so that the fixing part 702 is formed of two modules on both sides, more precisely, two modules. The first substrates 701a and 701b are fixed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing part 703 has a predetermined length L, and fixes the first substrates 701a and 701b of the two modules A and B to both sides over a predetermined length. Therefore, the longer the length of the fixing portion, the greater the effect of the fixing portion as the support.

This embodiment includes a fixing part, such as a clip, between the two modules, which physically fixes the substrate whose width is extended among the substrates of the module as described above. Such a configuration has an advantage of simplifying the bonding process of the modules in the dye-sensitized solar cell manufacturing method. Furthermore, the physically fixed substrates are relatively less susceptible to short circuits than the prior art, which is bonded through a sintering process or the like. In addition, the fixing part having a predetermined elasticity elastically adapts even when the modules are bent due to external pressure or the like, thereby increasing durability of the substrate connection. In addition, since it can be configured in the same color as each module, it can also generate a visual aesthetic.

As described above, although the present invention has been described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, which can be variously modified and modified by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Modifications are possible. Accordingly, the spirit of the invention should be understood only by the claims set forth below, and all equivalent or equivalent modifications will fall within the scope of the invention.

310, 310A, 310B: first substrate
320, 320A, 320B: second substrate
330, 340: conductive material layer
410: junction area
420: bonding layer
430: filling material

Claims (12)

A dye-sensitized solar cell comprising a dye-sensitized solar cell module facing each other and including a first substrate and a second substrate each having a conductive material stacked thereon, wherein the dye-sensitized solar cell includes:
The first substrate has a wider width than the second substrate, and the first substrate includes two or more dye-sensitized solar cell modules further extended by a predetermined width in both directions of the second substrate. Each of the first substrates has grooves for receiving both sides, and a fixing part including a conductive metal material is provided between the first substrates of adjacent modules, and each of the first substrates of the adjacent modules is inward of the groove. Dye-sensitized solar cell, characterized in that inserted and fixed. The method of claim 1,
The module is,
A nanoparticle oxide layer stacked on the conductive material layer of the first substrate or the second substrate, to which dye molecules are adsorbed;
A counter electrode provided on the conductive material layer stacked on another substrate facing the substrate provided with the nanoparticle oxide layer;
A metal grid provided between the second substrate and the first substrate, the metal grid electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate; And
And a sealing member provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and protecting the metal grid from an electrolyte filled between the first substrate and the second substrate. delete delete delete The method of claim 2,
The dye-sensitized solar cell, characterized in that the transparent material is filled on the first substrate fixed by the fixing portion, the dye-sensitized solar cell filled with the transparent material has the same height as a whole. In the method of manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising at least two unit modules comprising a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other,
Horizontally contacting a first substrate having a width extending to both sides of the substrate of the unit module with another first substrate extending to both sides of the substrate of the adjacent unit module;
Simultaneously providing a bonding layer on the two contacted first substrates; And
After the bonding layer is provided, the method of manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell further comprises the step of filling a transparent material on the bonding layer to the same height as the second substrate. delete The method of claim 7, wherein
The bonding layer is a method of manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell, characterized in that the metal plate or metal tape. The method of claim 9,
The unit module may include a conductive material layer laminated on the first substrate or the second substrate, respectively;
A nanoparticle oxide layer stacked on the conductive material layer of the first substrate or the second substrate, to which dye molecules are adsorbed;
A counter electrode provided on the conductive material layer stacked on another substrate facing the substrate provided with the nanoparticle oxide layer;
A metal grid provided between the second substrate and the first substrate, the metal grid electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate; And
The method of manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell further comprises a sealing member provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and protecting the metal grid from an electrolyte filled between the first substrate and the second substrate. . In the method of manufacturing a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising at least two modules comprising a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, wherein the first substrate is extended by a predetermined length to both sides than the second substrate,
Inserting and fixing the first substrate of any one of the modules inside one groove of a fixing part having a groove capable of receiving the first substrate on both sides;
And inserting and fixing the first substrate of another module of the module inside the other side groove of the fixing part. 12. The method of claim 11,
The fixing part comprises a conductive metal material, the height of the groove is a manufacturing method of the dye-sensitized solar cell, characterized in that less than the height of the first substrate.

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